For some five years now, Herbert Siguenza has been living in the skin of Pablo Picasso (at least theatrically speaking).

And as the actor and writer settles deeper into the complex psyche of the famously irascible painter, he is (maybe paradoxically) finding the task more comfortable all the time.

“At first, when I was doing the workshop, I was (just) trying to entertain,” says Siguenza, the Culture Clash co-founder who first began developing “A Weekend With Pablo Picasso” in earnest at San Diego Rep in late 2008. “So he was just more jovial and entertaining.

“But then I said, ‘No, no. I’m Picasso. Picasso was much more grounded. I’m not trying to entertain now. I’m just being him. It’s just deeper, a little darker. I like where it is.”

The evolution of the solo piece has come courtesy of productions done around the country since “Picasso” premiered at the Rep.

Now the show returns to the theater, where Siguenza has been artist-in-residence since last year, for a fresh run.

The premise remains the same: Picasso must complete a rush order of art by Monday morning. And the show’s central “wow” also has been preserved: Siguenza, an accomplished visual artist in his own right, actually completes an artwork during the performance.

But those who’ve seen past versions in San Diego will note some new twists: Siguenza has added material focusing on Picasso’s poetry, for one thing.

For another, he also has translated the piece into Spanish, and the Rep will present three performances of that version.

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Reaching out to new and underserved audiences “is kind of one of my agendas at the Rep,” says Siguenza of his tenure at the theater, whose artistic chief, Sam Woodhouse, has likewise long championed diversity.

If the Spanish version goes well, “perhaps in the future we can do bilingual versions of (other) plays,” Siguenza says.

As for reactions to the work during its travels: “A lot of people leave appreciating the man a little more,” Siguenza says. “A lot of women come up and say, ‘Oh, I hated Picasso, (and) you made me love him again.’ ”

And after all this time, Siguenza isn’t yet sounding tired of the guy — or the show.

“It’s just like my baby,” he says. “I can’t wait to to do it. This is an opportunity where I’m able to do everything I want at the same time,” from acting to painting to writing.

“People say, ‘Are you worried about the painting? I say painting is the easiest part. I’m confident in that.